Puppies with a purpose

Guide Dogs of Texas youngsters head to volunteers to be raised for 18 months before their formal training.

June 8, 2013 6:10 PM

Photo: Cynthia Esparza/For San Antonio Express-News

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Egypt is loved on by Denise Gonzales as Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) induct seven puppies into their puppy program. Gonzales, who was the brood holder of the puppies, will hold on to Egypt until her puppy raiser comes back from vacation. The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the puppies for the next 18 months to prepare them for their formal guide dog training.

Egypt is loved on by Denise Gonzales as Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) induct seven puppies into their puppy program. Gonzales, who was the brood holder of the puppies, will hold

Egypt is loved on by Denise Gonzales as Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX)... Photo-4757472.64154 - San Antonio Express-News

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Denise Gonzales and Susana Dias play with Egypt as Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) induct seven puppies into their puppy program. The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the puppies for the next 18 months to prepare them for their formal guide dog training. less

Denise Gonzales and Susana Dias play with Egypt as Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) induct seven puppies into their puppy program. The puppies were handed over to volunteers who ... more

Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school?s ability to better serve a population of nearly 175,000 legally blind Texans. The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the puppies for the next 18 months to prepare them for their formal guide dog training. less

Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school?s ability to better serve a population of nearly ... more

Essie (left) a newly inducted puppy for Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Corvette, a 6 month old, get familiar with each other after the puppy induction ceremony for Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the puppies for the next 18 months to prepare them for their formal guide dog training. less

Essie (left) a newly inducted puppy for Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Corvette, a 6 month old, get familiar with each other after the puppy induction ceremony for Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Guide Dogs for ... more

Electra plays and watches as things happen around her as Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school's ability to better serve a population of nearly 175,000 legally blind Texans. The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the puppies for the next 18 months to prepare them for their formal guide dog training. less

Electra plays and watches as things happen around her as Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog ... more

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

Electra plays and watches as things happen around her as Guide Dogs... Photo-4757347.64154 - San Antonio Express-News

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Jennifer and Madelyn Sisson get Eddie during an induction ceremony at Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) as it celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school's ability to better serve a population of nearly 175,000 legally blind Texans.The Sisson's will have Eddie for the next 18 months to prepare him for his formal guide dog training. And in that time Eddie will have to go everywhere with them, to the grocery store, church, work, any where they go, to get him socialized. less

Jennifer and Madelyn Sisson get Eddie during an induction ceremony at Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) as it celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in ... more

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

Jennifer and Madelyn Sisson get Eddie during an induction ceremony... Photo-4757477.64154 - San Antonio Express-News

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Rene Rios holds one of the seven puppies June 8, 2013 that Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) was inducting from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school's ability to better serve a population of nearly 175,000 legally blind Texans. The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the puppies for the next 18 months to prepare them for their formal guide dog training. less

Rene Rios holds one of the seven puppies June 8, 2013 that Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) was inducting from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog ... more

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

Rene Rios holds one of the seven puppies June 8, 2013 that Guide... Photo-4757476.64154 - San Antonio Express-News

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Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school's ability to better serve a population of nearly 175,000 legally blind Texans. The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the puppies for the next 18 months to prepare them for their formal guide dog training. less

Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school's ability to better serve a population of nearly ... more

Tawnya McClure, a puppy raiser, spends time with some of the puppies before the puppy induction ceremony June 8, 2013 at Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX). The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the puppies for the next 18 months to prepare them for their formal guide dog training. less

Tawnya McClure, a puppy raiser, spends time with some of the puppies before the puppy induction ceremony June 8, 2013 at Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX). The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the ... more

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

Tawnya McClure, a puppy raiser, spends time with some of the... Photo-4757475.64154 - San Antonio Express-News

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Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school's ability to better serve a population of nearly 175,000 legally blind Texans. The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the puppies for the next 18 months to prepare them for their formal guide dog training. less

Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) and Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school's ability to better ... more

Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school's ability to better serve a population of nearly 175,000 legally blind Texans. The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the puppies for the next 18 months to prepare them for their formal guide dog training. less

Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) celebrates its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school's ability to better serve a population of nearly ... more

Emma rolls around in the grass as Nolan Cowan tries to keep her untangled after getting her during the Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) puppy induction. The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the puppies for the next 18 months to prepare them for their formal guide dog training. less

Emma rolls around in the grass as Nolan Cowan tries to keep her untangled after getting her during the Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) puppy induction. The puppies were handed over to volunteers who will raise the ... more

Photo: Cynthia Esparza, For San Antonio Express-News

Emma rolls around in the grass as Nolan Cowan tries to keep her... Photo-4757466.64154 - San Antonio Express-News

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Pete Gonzales plays with Eddie June 8, 2013 before Eddie is taken home by his volunteer puppy raiser after the Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) puppy induction ceremony conluded. GDTX celebrated its fifth litter of guide dog puppies from its breeding program, which plays a critical role in the guide dog school's ability to better serve a population of nearly 175,000 legally blind Texans. Gonzales was the brood holder for all the puppies. less

Pete Gonzales plays with Eddie June 8, 2013 before Eddie is taken home by his volunteer puppy raiser after the Guide Dogs of Texas (GDTX) puppy induction ceremony conluded. GDTX celebrated its fifth litter of ... more